enjoying the spring sunshine.
Stitching on paper is a slow way to make marks that appear to be spontaneous.
I thought these looked pretty free and easy,
until I looked at the reverse side.
I prefer this 'wrong' side.
I wonder if this is a metaphor for how we prefer our life to be like?
Sensuous and unplanned, barely contained.
Just going. Doing. and it is beautiful.
But I love the messy side.
 |
| Her Interior Wilderness |
Sparkling.
The eyes of the spirits winking off the water.
Richard Wagamese
I'm with you, liking the tidiness, but loving the rarely exposed messiness. Perhaps because it seems like a metaphor for life's best stories ...
ReplyDeleteVery special this stitching on paper, Judy !!!
ReplyDeleteThe 'messy side'...wasn't so messy after all, eh? Hugs! And blessings for Easter!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fragment from an archaeological dig--who knew on Manitoulin? :)
ReplyDeleteMore and more I love the back sides of my work too. They seem to reveal an innerworkings that is yearning to get out. Beautiful work Judy.
ReplyDeletePretty and messy. Two sides of the same coin--and person. I love both as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, I am amazed by the beautiful work you have done on paper... what kind of paper is it?
ReplyDeletei love both sides.
Thank you for sharing your work with us. \Cheers
Idalina
So many thoughts pass through my mind here today. I first thought of a mirror how what we think of as a reflection isn't a true view but a reverse view. This prompted recto-verso imagery. The front-back relationship in printing. Going back a bit when paper (papyrus especially) was made only the one side, recto, was smooth enough to accept writing hence the front but for utility the rougher back was used. I see your thinking the opposite / other side might be a rougher part. More tactile. Your term sensual. Recto-verso drawings are pieces of work that intend both sides to be used. I was hoping the image of you holding the paper up to the light would show a ghosting images or a bleed. Isn't that a thought that the work could bleed. These are all from a Western's eye-ideas: Japanese, Arabic or Hebrew eyes would do it all verso:recto style. And you know too I'm sure Junko Oki's work. When she presents it, as in her book Culte à la Carte she shows both sides as equal. A good point to stop my rattle
ReplyDeletejudy! lovely and rich and just wonderful. don't you love what happens as you stitch paper? how the surface becomes different? i looked carefully at your paper and wonder if it's flax?
ReplyDeleteVelma, I think it is flax too.
ReplyDeleteI purchased this large piece of hand made paper nearly 20 years ago from a papermaking place in Ottawa that is now no longer.
It wasn't quite this shape. I soaked it in water about 10 years ago and crumpled it up and opened it out again - some idea that I didn't follow through with.
Now - I come across this paper that to me is shaped like a female torso and I am using it. Much of my newer work is because of the materials I have saved for a long time- it's time to let them speak. I've kept them safe because I love them.
xo
And Arlee - Manitoulin has one of the most important ancient archeological digs on it about 10 minutes from where I live.
ReplyDelete9000 years of occupation.
Here's a link to copy and paste for more information from heritage Canada
http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=14555
xo
Paper is a wonderful substrate and I love working on crumpled natural paper - no matter the fibre content. Flax would be delicious. The paper, like thin inner layers of fallen birch bark which is my favourite stitching choice, takes the stitches so beautifully and holds firm the connection between the artist and her thread of conversation. You are blessed to have the water to look at and listen to as it speaks it's messages to you.
ReplyDeletebethany
xxo
so beautiful from both sides
ReplyDeleteThere should be a show for us who love the backs of our work ... we could call it 'Backsides' ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the paper history !
When we create, What we are after is nourishment rather than self expression.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this 'other' side is closer to nourishment
because it's just so generous, it gives itself to us without all the baggage of our anxious intent.
we are taken care of by our own work.
Both sides are lovely. Handwork leaves such a different "pattern" on the reverse side. I always want to see both sides.
ReplyDeleteI too became drawn to what I call the "otherside" now, instead of the back. Over time it become the more comfortable place to rest, I especially love it because there seems to be more visible connections between steps.
ReplyDeletejudy, i know that place in ottawa, the papertrail, which was sold to another papermaker, kevin martin and relocated. the former owner anagret nill (i hope i've spelled that correctly) moved on, but her assistant britt quinlin is still in ottawa making paper and moulds under the imprint paperwright. britt is very very cool! and her online shop is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteboth side looks wonderful. great work. We have a great collection of African fabrics. Good quality at lowest price. For whole sell price Visit us hope you guys love them.
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